Fidelis Truth also identified as Jesus baby, and other aliases is a multi-talented AAUA singer and rapper known for his diverse contents. The differently abled gospel hip-hop rap artiste shared his journey into music, his inspirations, his challenges, and his thoughts about AAUA artistes. Excerpts…
Kindly introduce yourself and tell us what you do.
I am Fidelis Uche Nwaji, also known as Fidelis Truth. I am a student studying Economics at Adekunle Ajasin Akungba-Akoko, I am an entrepreneur, I am into trading. I am a musician; I sing, I rap, hip-hop, but my contents are not ‘secularistic’. You can call me a gospel hip-hop rap artiste.
Briefly share with us what led you into music?
What led me into music, is music itself. My passion, my love, my feelings. The sensation, the inspiration. That is what it is…God.
Who and what give you your inspirations?
When you are talking about ‘who’, I say God, because most of my inspirations come from God. I don’t just do music for doing sake, I let the inspiration come, and God directs it. About ‘what’, sometimes I talk about the things around me. God gave me the talent to do exploits with them. He also gave me the talent to speak about the things around me, the reality, what people go through in the world. Music is real. Music is my place to express myself to people. As one of my role model would say, “music is my therapy session”. Things around to inspire me to write. And yes God.
When did you start music, and when did you believe you have started professionally?
I started music since 2013, after I met with an accident. Well professionally, immediately I graduated from secondary. I was initially take it as something to play, do it when I am convenient, even till now I do I when I am convenient. But the mind-set of now is that ‘let me just graduate and have time for my music career’. Then it was like child’s plays, vibes, drop it whenever I want to drop it, and whenever I drop it, but I notice that whenever I drop it, it is fire. People love the feeling, sensation, motivation, and inspiration behind it.
What are the challenges you face as an artiste?
Thank God you called it challenges; being on crutches is a challenge, navigation mobility is not easy. Finance is somewhat a challenge; music is money, money is music. Those are the challenges.
Do people discriminate or love you better because you are differently abled?
Well, some people love me, I know, but sometimes they love out of pity. I hate pity, if you love me, just love me. Disregard the different ability; it is not a disability, but differently abled. Discriminate? No one can discriminate me. Discrimination is in the mind, as long as I don’t allow it, it can’t come to me. In fact, I discriminate some people, because what everyone can do, I can do it better, only if I want to do it. So, it is my will that matters. Though, they over treat well me sometimes because of the look. I don’t need it, I appreciate it if it is out of love, but if it is because of my leg, I will tell you to hold it.
How is your relationship with other artists on campus?
Well, my relationship with them is quite good, I have good relationship with all of them, even the one that would start today. I assure you, beautiful relationship. I keep beautiful relationship. I am not a bad guy, I am a random, free-spirit guy.
What do you think AAUA artists are not doing, but could have been better if they engage in it?
Let me just say some of AAUA artistes are very good. On a scale of 100, 80 per cent are good. Out of the 80 per cent, 50 per per cent love the school fame, they believe they are good, and carry the fame on their head, and it shouldn’t be like that. There is a world to explore. One, they don’t diversify their style, some do one style. If you listen to most of my songs; I do trap, I do rap, I do core rap, I do motivational rap, inspirational rap, I sing, I do everything. If you bring reggae, alujo, afrobeats, I will do it and fit my style into it, and diversify. I am not saying a singer should rap, but mingle with rap artiste, some people feel too big to feature others. They don’t mingle well, there is still beefing among us. Some are satisfied with the school fame. And they don’t go out.
As an artiste on campus, how do you manage your entertainment life with your academics?
It is very easy. Music is something I love doing, education is something I like now. Dedicating my time to my music does not affect my studies. Why? I do my music without stress. I know how I do it, when a show is clashing with lecture. Music is the passion, education is a backup. Education is something I need to do, music is something I want to do, both are necessary, and should not hinder one another. I understand that perspective, and I have been working towards it.
What future plans do you gave for your music career?
All musicians have the blow syndrome. I just want one thing, one future: I want the world to hear the message, see the message, feel the message, to do according to the message, and get better according to the message; the whole world—that is the kind of music I want for my career, for my craft.
What is your advice for other young artists like you?
For young and upcoming artiste like me out there, just keep believing in our craft, know what you can do, and can’t do. Don’t stop when people say you are good, do more. Go where you have not been to, build yourself, build your craft, believe in your craft, believe in what you have, trust God, and you will get there. Keep pushing; you have the whole world to explore.
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